Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS): Improving Sustainability and Competitiveness in the Agri-Food Chain with Innovative Environmental Management Tools - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9401780714 ISBN 13: 9789401780711

Publisher: Springer, 2015

Synopsis

Representing the coordinated work of a research group from four different Italian University departments which conducted the Eco-Management for Food (EMAF) Project, this book offers a systematic approach for managing and improving the environmental aspects of agri-food processes and products using Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS).

About this title

From the Back Cover

Representing the coordinated work of a research group from four different Italian University departments which conducted the Eco-Management for Food (EMAF) Project, this book offers a systematic approach for managing and improving the environmental aspects of agri-food processes and

products using Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS).

The European Commission's EIPRO study estimates that food alone is responsible for 17% of overall emissions of greenhouse gases, and uses 28% of natural resources. Moreover, food wastage in Europe is estimated at 90 million tonnes per year, which translates to 180 kg per person annually. The 2011 European Road Map for Resource Efficiency sets ambitious targets for agriculture by 2020: 50% reduction of waste and wastage; conservation of natural capital, biodiversity and ecosystem services; reduction of land use and improvement of soil quality; independence from fossil fuels.

The distinctive characteristic of the proposed POEMS model is its modular structure: it is composed of a collection of management tools that can be applied, individually (Integrated Management System, Life Cycle Assessment, product environmental labeling guidelines) or as combination of two or more elements, based on the specific requirements and objectives an organization aims to reach.

The contents include the analysis of the individual environmental management tools of which the POEMS model is made up, with a description of their methodological structure and the main results of their implementation in different pilot agri-food companies, in order to verify their effective functioning and to highlight the strong and weak points of the POEMS model and of its individual fundamental components.

The book is designed to help support sound sustainability decision-making, informed by scientifically-sound quantitative information.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9401780714
• ISBN 13: 9789401780711
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 349
• Editor: Salomone Roberta, Clasadonte Maria Teresa, Proto Maria, Raggi Andrea